Testimony begins in mine hearing

Tuesday

Opponents of a proposed strip-mining operation near Banner started laying out their case Monday that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources erred when it granted a permit for the project.

Opponents of a proposed strip-mining operation near Banner started laying out their case Monday that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources erred when it granted a permit for the project.

An administrative hearing, scheduled to resume Tuesday, is supposed to resolve the question of whether to rescind the permit for Capital Resources Development Co.

Hydrogeologist Charles Norris spent almost all day Monday providing highly technical testimony about water and how he thinks the strip mine would affect water quality.

The mine’s presence would create “a very strong risk” to the water supply and its quality could deteriorate, Norris said at the hearing, which is similar to a court trial but less formal.

Earlier, Tom Davis, who is chief of the environmental bureau in Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office, told hearing officer Michael O’Hara that Madigan’s office took the unusual step of intervening in the permit decision, contending some of DNR’s findings were “flawed.”

In his opening statement, Davis said the attorney general’s office does not oppose the coal industry, which he called vital for jobs, energy and quality of life.

But he added: “We contend this is the wrong place for a strip mine.”

Expert testimony will focus on how the strip mine would affect the ground-water supply and wildlife, he said.

Christine Zeman, an attorney for Capital Resources, said the permit process was a careful one and that DNR didn’t make a mistake in granting the permit.

Capital Resources is “entitled to some finality,” Zeman said. “When does the process end?”

DNR’s attorney, Virginia Yang, deferred her opening statement.

The hearing drew a crowd of roughly 50 people, most of them opponents to the Banner strip mine.

Norris’ testimony said that there were multiple problems “with the lack of information” in the Capital Resources permit application, said Joyce Blumenshine of the Heart of Illinois Group Sierra Club.

“That is not acceptable for the people of Illinois,” she said after Norris testified. “It’s not acceptable for our state agencies. And it’s certainly not acceptable for the environment that is to be protected.”

“This proceeding is important to the coal industry,” he said. “We see it as a challenge to the regulatory process of the Department of Natural Resources that coal mines have to go through to get a permit for coal mining.”

Gonet said he was on hand as an “interested party” to support Capital Resources, which is a subsidiary of Springfield Coal.

Monday’s session ended on a contentious note, with O’Hara and Davis exchanging reprimands for interrupting one another.

After the hearing officially closed for the day, O’Hara beckoned Davis to come speak to him.

“You got something to say, say it now sir,” Davis said from his seat.

O’Hara criticized Davis for making “snide remarks.”

“And I won’t have it,” O’Hara said.

Adriana Colindres can be reached at (217) 782-6292 or adriana.colindres@sj-r.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA ~ 30 Walnut St. Waynesboro, PA 17268 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service